JP4498781B2 - Seat belt fastening device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a seat belt fastening apparatus.

A conventional seat belt fastening device of this kind is disclosed in German patent DE 197880583 C1 (cited herein). This conventional tightening device is a belt winding device having a belt force limiting device. The belt force limiting device is formed in a conventional belt winding device by a torsion bar and a torsion sleeve. The operation of the belt winding device is as follows. When a car accident occurs, the occupant “gets into the seat belt” with kinetic energy. In this way, tension is suddenly applied to the locked seat belt. If the seat belt cannot yield, there is a possibility of injury as a result of considerable restraining force applied to the occupant. In order to prevent this, the conventional belt winding device is provided with a torsion bar and a torsion sleeve, and the seat belt is pulled out by the torsion, and the seat belt is extended. Further pulling out reduces the restraining force and avoids injury from the seat belt.
German patent DE 197880583C1

  A seat belt tightening device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least one belt force limiting device that limits a restraining force acting on a person protected by a seat belt by configuring the seat belt to yield a predetermined amount. Have This belt force limiting device has a wire drawing device capable of drawing at least one wire when a predetermined tension is applied. Further, when one end of the seat belt is indirectly or directly connected to at least one wire and the restraint force applied to the occupant by the seat belt reaches a predetermined tension, at least one wire is immediately pulled out. It is configured to be withdrawn from the device.

  The above superordinate conceptual description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

  FIG. 1 shows a belt strap 5 wound on a spindle 10 of a belt winding device 15. The spindle 10 is attached so as to be rotatable around a shaft 20. The spindle 10 has a claw portion 30 at an outer edge portion, and the claw portion 30 is released when the spindle 10 suddenly accelerates and comes into contact with the inner lock teeth 40 of the ratchet ring 50. The ratchet ring 50 is also rotatably attached around the shaft 20, but the ratchet ring 50 rotates only when the claw portion 30 is locked by the inner lock teeth 40 of the ratchet ring 50.

  The ratchet ring 50 has a wire magazine 70 at the outer edge. As shown in FIG. 1, the two wires of the first wire 100 and the second wire 110 are wound around the wire magazine 70 of the ratchet ring 50. Further, the two wires 100 and 110 are wound around the wire reel 115.

  A first deflection roller 122, a second deflection roller 124, and a third deflection roller 130 that are first switching rockers 120 are provided between the wire reel 115 and the wire magazine 70. As the ratchet ring 50 rotates, the first wire 100 is drawn from the wire reel 115 and is simultaneously wound around the wire magazine 70 of the ratchet ring 50. At this time, the wire reel 115 rotates around the shaft 160.

  Further, the second wire 110 is wound around the wire reel 115 via the fourth deflection roller 202, the fifth deflection roller 204 and the sixth deflection roller 220 which are the second switching rocker 200. When the ratchet ring 50 rotates, the second wire 110 is drawn from the wire reel 115 and wound around the wire magazine 70 of the ratchet ring 50.

The two switching lockers 120 and 200 are configured to be foldable as indicated by arrows 300 and 310 in FIG.
For example, when the first switching rocker 120 is folded, the first deflection roller 122 of the first switching rocker 120 moves from the first position 350 to the second position 360. As a result, the guide mode of the wire is changed. That is, the first wire 100 is not deflected three times between the wire reel 115 and the wire magazine 70 of the ratchet ring 50, but only once by the third deflection roller 130. This is illustrated in FIG. 1 by a dotted line 400 indicating the first wire 100 after the first switching rocker 120 is folded from the first position 350 to the second position 360.

Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows that the second switching locker 200 can also be switched. The fourth deflection roller 202 of the second switching rocker 200 can be folded from a first position (indicated by reference numeral 520 in FIG. 1) to a second position (indicated by reference numeral 530). At this time, the position of the fifth deflection roller 204 of the second switching rocker 200 does not change.
Thus, when the second switching rocker 200 is folded from the first position 520 to the second position 530, the second wire 110 is also affected. After the second switching rocker 200 is folded, the second wire 110 is bent only once by the sixth deflection roller 220. This is illustrated in FIG. 1 by a dotted line 550 indicating the second wire 110 after the second switching rocker 200 is folded from the first position 520 to the second position 530. In the second position 530, the second wire 110 is not deflected or bent twice more by the second switching rocker 200 as in the case where the fourth deflection roller 202 is in the first position 520.

  The six deflection rollers 122, 124, 130, 202, 204, 220, the wire reel 115, and the wire magazine 70 constitute a wire drawing device 600 that acts on the belt winding device 15. The belt winding device 15 and the wire drawing device 600 form a fastening device for the seat belt, that is, the belt strap 5.

Next, the operation of the fastening device according to FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.
In the event of an automobile accident, the belt strap 5 of the fastening device according to FIG. 1, that is, the passenger fixed by the seat belt 5 applies tension to the belt strap 5. In this case, the claw portion 30 activates the spindle 10 and the spindle 10 is locked to the ratchet ring 50 that is rotatably attached. As a result, considerable tension is applied to the seat belt, and at the same time, the ratchet ring 50 rotates. As the ratchet ring 50 rotates, the first wire 100 and the second wire 110 are drawn into the wire magazine 70 of the ratchet ring 50.

  The first switching rocker 120 and the second switching rocker 200 are initially located at the first positions 350 and 520, respectively. That is, the two wires 100 and 110 are passed as shown by the solid line in FIG.

  Since the two switching lockers 120 and 200 are respectively located at the first position, the two wires 100 and 110 are respectively deflected, that is, bent three times. Therefore, the first wire 100 is passed from the wire reel 115 to the third deflection roller 130, the second deflection roller 124, and the first deflection roller 122 and guided to the wire magazine 70. Similarly, the second wire 110 is passed over and guided by the sixth deflection roller 220, the fifth deflection roller 204, and the fourth deflection roller 202 and then passed to the wire magazine 70.

Such a three-time deflection requires a considerable deformation of the wire, that is, a considerable bending of the wire, and requires a large operating force.
In this case, the wires 100 and 110 are drawn into the wire magazine 70 with an appropriate tension. The reaction force by the wire drawing device 600 is substantially constant. The reaction force corresponds to the belt restraining force that the belt strap 5 acts on the occupant in the event of an automobile accident. This reaction force, that is, the belt restraining force, is given a reference number F1 in the graph of FIG.

The belt restraining force F1 can be reduced by switching the first switching rocker 120 or the second switching rocker 200, for example.
For example, when the first switching rocker 120 moves from the first position to the second position, the belt restraining force is reduced to F2 as shown in FIG.
When the second switching rocker 200 is switched instead of the first switching rocker 120, the belt restraining force is reduced to F3 as shown in FIG. When the two switching rockers 120 and 200 are switched, the belt restraining force is reduced to F4.
Accordingly, in the first switching step, the belt restraining force can be switched from F1 to one of F2, F3, and F4. When the belt restraining force is switched to F2 or F3, the belt restraining force can be further reduced to F4 in the second switching step.
As a result, according to the tightening device according to FIG. 1, it is possible to appropriately set the restraining force of the seat belt 5. By setting the switching position of the two switching lockers 120 and 200, one of four different belt restraining forces can be selected and set in advance, and the belt restraining force can be stepwise in the event of a collision or accident. It can be reduced.

  In the case of the clamping device according to FIG. 1, deflection rollers 122, 124, 130, 202, 204, 220 are provided to bend the two wires 100, 110, but instead of the deflection rollers, deflection rods. May be used. Further, the deflection rod and the deflection roller may be appropriately combined or used at the same time.

In the case of the clamping device according to FIG. 1, if it is intended to limit the force in more stages, more switching rockers may be used instead of two switching rockers. Conversely, if the belt restraint force is sufficient with only two different stages, the clamping device need only have one switching rocker and one wire.
In addition to the two wires according to FIG. 1, other wires may be used.
If it is considered that a single force is sufficient for the belt restraining force, the switching rocker may be omitted completely. The belt restraining force can be set by one or more bending members that bend the wire and define the belt restraining force. The bending member can be formed by, for example, a rod or a deflection roller.

  As described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a seat belt fastening apparatus in which the belt restraining force can be set to a generally desired state within a wide range. The restraint force can be influenced by, for example, the weight of the occupant, the degree of accident, and the like.

  The belt force limiting device of the present invention has at least one wire drawing device that draws a wire when a predetermined tension is applied. Therefore, if at least one end of the seatbelt is indirectly or directly connected to the wire, the person protected by the seatbelt (basically the occupant) will apply appropriate tension to the seatbelt in the event of an accident. As soon as it is added, the wire is withdrawn from the wire withdrawal device.

  The advantage of the clamping device according to the invention is that the actual “belt system” and “belt force limiting system” are separated. For example, unlike the conventional belt winding device in which the torsion bar is directly part of the belt winding mechanism, the wire pulling device as a belt force limiting system is connected via one or several wires. Since these are only connected, it is possible to optimize alone. Therefore, the belt can be easily released from braking or the like by a corresponding device in the wire drawing device due to the relationship between the force and the deflection, so that a desired restraining force limiting characteristic can be obtained. For example, wire deflection or wire drawing from a wire drawing device is made easier by separating frictional force or deformation force (bending force), that is, braking force, so that it can be reduced in two steps or at a low cost. A stepwise reduction force limit can be achieved.

In order to ensure that the belt force limitation functions even after many years of use, it is advantageous if the braking force available for use is only a deformation force, ie a bending force. The frictional force greatly depends on the surface configuration of the objects to be rubbed with each other, and may change due to, for example, corrosion. It is therefore advantageous if at least one wire is bent at least once as it is withdrawn.
With at least one deflection roller and / or deflection rod, the at least one wire can be bent as it is withdrawn, particularly easily and advantageously.

  The seat belt tightening device according to the present invention is advantageously incorporated in a belt winding device. This can be achieved easily and advantageously by means of the spindle of the belt winding device. This spindle interacts indirectly or directly with at least one wire of the wire drawing device to take up or withdraw the belt.

  The ratchet ring is particularly easily and advantageously connected to at least one wire of the wire drawing device if it is provided in the clamping device so that it can be rotatably fixedly connected to the spindle via the claw. Is possible. When the spindle and the ratchet ring are connected by the claw portion, the wire drawn from the wire drawing device is immediately wound around the wire magazine of the ratchet ring.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the wire drawing device is configured to provide at least two different tensions, ie belt restraining forces. This can be achieved particularly easily and therefore advantageously by means of a switching rocker which re-adjusts or changes the tension required to withdraw the wire from the wire drawing device. This type of switching rocker advantageously has two positions. This switching rocker is configured such that when it is in one position, the tension for pulling out the wire is greater than when it is in the other position. Therefore, two different restraining forces of the seat belt can be set relatively easily using this type of switching rocker.
Therefore, when the switching locker is set at one position so that a larger tension is required to pull out the wire than at the other position, the wire is pulled out at one position of the switching locker. This can be achieved particularly easily by being deflected at least once.

Particularly easily and therefore advantageously, the switching rocker can be switched from one position to the other using gunpowder. The great advantage of explosive reconditioning is that it is reconditioned very quickly.
However, the difficulty of switching the explosive type is that the explosive material is dangerous. If the use of such dangerous goods is avoided, the switching rocker can be switched from one position to the other very easily by an electromagnet. This is because the switching locker tends to automatically switch due to its arrangement, that is, the blocking lock by the electromagnet can be easily released. Therefore, the switching locker can be switched from one position to the other simply by releasing the blocking lock.

  The switching rocker is configured to be deformed when moving from one position to the other so that the position of the switching rocker does not switch suddenly but switches continuously or substantially continuously. It is advantageous if

  Reference is made to the content of German patent application DE 10308167.4 filed on February 20, 2003 as the basis for claiming priority.

  According to the disclosure of the present invention, those skilled in the art can construct modifications other than those described above within the scope of the gist of the present invention. Such modifications may be included in the present specification as further embodiments other than the above-described various embodiments. The scope of the right of the invention must be determined based on the claims.

According to the present invention, “the belt force limiting device includes a belt force limiting device that limits a restraining force acting on an occupant to be protected by the seat belt by allowing the seat belt to yield to a predetermined extent, However, there is a wire pulling device capable of pulling out the wire when a predetermined tension is applied, and one end of the seat belt is indirectly or directly connected to the wire, and the restraint acts on the occupant by the seat belt. When the force reaches a predetermined tension, the wire is pulled out from the wire pulling device, the wire pulling device has a switching rocker for guiding the wire, and the switching rocker has a first locker. There is a position and a second position, and the tension for pulling out the wire is different between the case where the switching rocker is in the first position and the case where it is in the second position. 2. The seat belt fastening apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wire drawing apparatus has a switching locker for guiding the wire. The switching rocker has a first position and a second position, and the tension for pulling out the wire is different between the case where the switching rocker is in the first position and the case where the switching rocker is in the second position. The apparatus of the aspect 1 called the seatbelt fastening apparatus characterized by these is comprised.
Further, according to the present invention, the aspect 1 is characterized in that, when the switching rocker is in the first position, the wire is deflected when being drawn from the wire drawing device. The apparatus according to aspect 2 is configured.
Further, according to the present invention, the apparatus according to aspect 3, wherein the switching rocker is switched from the first position to the second position using explosives, is configured. Is done.
According to the present invention, there is configured an apparatus according to aspect 4, which is “the apparatus according to aspect 1, wherein the switching rocker is switched from the first position to the second position by an electromagnet.” The
Further, according to the present invention, "the apparatus according to aspect 1, wherein the switching rocker is configured to be deformed when moving from the first position to the second position". The device is configured.

It is a figure which shows embodiment of a seatbelt fastening apparatus. It is a graph which shows the restraint force of the seatbelt with respect to time passage, and has shown the switching aspect of restraint force.

Claims (7)

A belt force limiting device that limits a restraining force acting on an occupant to be protected by the seat belt by allowing the seat belt to yield to a predetermined extent;
The belt force limiting device has a wire pulling device capable of pulling out a wire when a predetermined tension is applied, and one end of the seat belt is indirectly or directly connected to the wire, The wire is pulled out from the wire pulling device when a restraining force acting on an occupant reaches a predetermined tension ,
The wire drawing device includes a switching rocker that guides the wire and can switch between a first position and a second position, and the switching rocker is in the first position and in the second position. The seat belt tightening device is configured so that the tension for pulling out the wire is different .   The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to bend when the wire is withdrawn from the wire withdrawal apparatus.   The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the wire is bent by a deflection roller.   The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the wire is bent by a deflection rod.   The belt take-up device according to claim 1, further comprising a spindle that winds and pulls out the seat belt and has a spindle that indirectly or directly interacts with a wire of the wire pull-out device. apparatus. A seat belt retractor;
Comprising a wire drawing device having a deflection roller, a wire reel and a wire magazine;
The wire pulling device acts on the seat belt retractor and is configured to limit a restraining force acting on an occupant protected by a seat belt system;
The wire drawing device includes a switching rocker that guides the wire and can switch between the first position and the second position, and the switching rocker is in the first position and in the second position. Then, it is comprised so that the tension | tensile_strength which pulls out the said wire may differ, The seatbelt system characterized by the above-mentioned . The seat belt system according to claim 6 , further comprising a wire configured to be unwound from the wire reel when a predetermined tension is applied to the wire.

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